Live Review: Japanese Wallpaper, E^ST

E^ST bounces around the stage in a shimmering sequined top, resembling a spinning disco ball. She's got a fantastic stage presence and her charismatic confidence is undeniably infectious. As the 17-year-old tells us about an older song she wrote at just 14, we immediately feel elderly and question our own life accomplishments. The exceptionally talented millennial demonstrates vocal maturity beyond her years and her fresh indie-pop sound is exciting. E^ST's debut single Old Age sums her up perfectly as she sings, "'Cause I'm a young blood, with an old heart/And eyes that see more than they should." She performs a yet-to-be-released song that makes us want to get down, instantly becoming our Saturday night anthem.

Japanese Wallpaper makes us feel warm and cozy by wrapping us up in his new single Cocoon, to begin. Each intricate layer of sound is delicately crafted to create an imaginative and atmospheric dreamscape. Together with his full live band, Melbourne teenage prodigy Gab Strum gives us a taste of the sweet new tunes he's been working on. Like songs off his debut self-titled EP, his new material continues to create a soothing and euphoric ambience to drift off to. As the music washes over us, it connects deeply with our emotions and has a calming effect, sending us into a sweet reverie.

Strum breathes new life into a cover of Bjork's Hyperballad, with a beautifully unique arrangement that makes the song his own. He worked with a number of guest artists on his EP and tonight Strum welcomes live band member Gretta Ray, inviting her to take over on lead vocals for Forces and Breathe In. Ray shines with confidence as she lays down her sublime, honeyed vocal tones accompanied by a heavenly, soft and light electronic production. These tracks are the highlight of the set as the audience sings along to the slow, simple and relatable lyrics.

Strum swaps in on vocals once more to bring the show to a close with Between Friends. His silky, smooth, fragile vocal qualities combined with the soft sound of raindrop-like wind chimes have us floating high above the clouds. One last new song is another glowing masterpiece that transports us to another place in a different world. Japanese Wallpaper has a bright future ahead and we can't wait to hear more of his magical creations.